रथ्यासु राजमार्गेषु ददर्श भरताग्रजः । स्ववेश्म चानीय ततो भ्रातरौ स कुशीलवौ ॥१-४-
On the streets and royal roads, the elder brother of Bharata saw the two Kuśīlavas, and then brought them to his own house.
पूजयामास पूजार्हौ रामः शत्रुनिबर्हणः । आसीनः काञ्चने दिव्ये स च सिंहासने प्रभुः ॥१-४-
Rāma, destroyer of enemies, honored the two who were worthy of honor; seated on a divine golden throne, the lord paid them homage.
उपोपविष्टैः सचिवैर्भ्रातृभिश्च समन्वितः । दृष्ट्वा तु रूपसम्पन्नौ विनीतौ भ्रातरावुभौ ॥१-४-
Surrounded by counselors and brothers, he saw the two brothers, handsome in form and well-mannered.
उवाच लक्ष्मणं रामः शत्रुघ्नं भरतं तथा । श्रूयतामेतदाख्यानमनयोर्देववर्चसोः ॥१-४-
Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, as well as to Śatrughna and Bharata: 'Let this story of these two, radiant as gods, be heard.'
विचित्रार्थपदं सम्यग्गायकौ समचोदयत् । तौ चापि मधुरं रक्तं स्वचित्तायतनिःस्वनम् ॥१-४-
He encouraged the singers to perform the tale, rich in varied meaning and expression; and they sang sweetly and passionately, with voices drawn from their very hearts.
तन्त्रीलयवदत्यर्थं विश्रुतार्थमगायताम् । ह्लादयत् सर्वगात्राणि मनांसि हृदयानि च । श्रोत्राश्रयसुखं गेयं तद् बभौ जनसंसदि ॥१-४-
They sang with perfect harmony of strings and rhythm, clearly conveying the meaning; their song delighted every limb, mind, and heart, and its melody, pleasing to the ear, shone in the assembly of people.
इमौ मुनी पार्थिवलक्षणान्वितौ । ::कुशीलवौ चैव महातपस्विनौ । ममापि तद् भूतिकरं प्रचक्षते । ::महानुभावं चरितं निबोधत ॥१-४-
These two ascetics, possessing the marks of royal birth, are also skilled singers and great in austerity. They are said to be wondrous even by me. Now, listen to the noble story of their mighty deeds.
ततस्तु तौ रामवचः प्रचोदिता- ::वगायतां मार्गविधानसम्पदा । स चापि रामः परिषद्गतः शनै- र्बुभूषयासक्तमना बभूव ह ॥१-४-
Then, prompted by Rama’s words, the two began to sing, following the proper method. And Rama, seated among the assembly, gradually became absorbed in the desire to listen.
thumb|पञ्चमः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे बालकाण्डे पञ्चमः सर्गः ॥१-
Hear now the fifth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Bāla Kāṇḍa.
सर्वा पूर्वमियं येषामासीत् कृत्स्ना वसुंधरा । प्रजापतिमुपादाय नृपाणां जयशालिनाम् ॥१-५-
All this earth once belonged entirely to those kings, victorious in battle, beginning with Prajāpati himself.
येषां स सगरो नाम सागरो येन खानितः । षष्टिपुत्रसहस्राणि यं यान्तं पर्यवारयन् ॥१-५-
Among them was Sagara by name, by whom the ocean was dug; sixty thousand sons surrounded him as he journeyed.
इक्ष्वाकूणामिदं तेषां राज्ञां वंशे महात्मनाम् । महदुत्पन्नमाख्यानं रामायणमिति श्रुतम् ॥१-५-
In the line of those great-souled kings of the Ikṣvāku dynasty, this great tale arose, known as the Rāmāyaṇa.
तदिदं वर्तयिष्यावः सर्वं निखिलमादितः । धर्मकामार्थसहितं श्रोतव्यमनसूयता ॥१-५-
Now we shall recount this entire story from the beginning, accompanied by righteousness, desire, and wealth; it is to be heard without envy.
अयोध्या नाम नगरी तत्रासील्लोकविश्रुता । मनुना मानवेन्द्रेण या पुरी निर्मिता स्वयम् ॥१-५-
There was a city called Ayodhyā, famed throughout the world, which was built by Manu, the lord of men, himself.
आयता दश च द्वे च योजनानि महापुरी । श्रीमती त्रीणि विस्तीर्णा सुविभक्तमहापथा ॥१-५-
That great and splendid city stretched twelve yojanas in length and three in breadth, with well-divided main roads.
राजमार्गेण महता सुविभक्तेन शोभिता । मुक्तपुष्पावकीर्णेन जलसिक्तेन नित्यशः ॥१-५-
It was adorned with a great royal road, well laid out, always strewn with fresh flowers and sprinkled with water.
तां तु राजा दशरथो महाराष्ट्रविवर्धनः । पुरीमावासयामास दिवि देवपतिर्यथा ॥१-५-
King Daśaratha, the increaser of his great realm, dwelled in that city as the lord of the gods dwells in heaven.
कपाटतोरणवतीं सुविभक्तान्तरापणाम् । सर्वयन्त्रायुधवतीमुषितां सर्वशिल्पिभिः ॥१-५-
It was furnished with gates and archways, with well-divided marketplaces, filled with all kinds of machines and weapons, and inhabited by all artisans.
सूतमागधसम्बाधां श्रीमतीमतुलप्रभाम् । उच्चाट्टालध्वजवतीं शतघ्नीशतसंकुलाम् ॥१-५-
It was crowded with charioteers and bards, possessing unmatched splendor, with tall mansions and banners, and thronged with hundreds of engines of war.
वधूनाटकसङ्घैश्च संयुक्तां सर्वतः पुरीम् । उद्यानाम्रवणोपेतां महतीं सालमेखलाम् ॥१-५-
The city was surrounded on all sides by troupes of actresses and dancers, adorned with gardens and mango groves, and encircled by a great belt of śāla trees.
दुर्गगम्भीरपरिखां दुर्गामन्यैर्दुरासदाम् । वाजिवारणसम्पूर्णां गोभिरुष्ट्रैः खरैस्तथा ॥१-५-
It had deep and fortified moats, was difficult for others to approach, and was filled with horses, elephants, cattle, camels, and donkeys.
सामन्तराजसङ्घैश्च बलिकर्मभिरावृताम् । नानादेशनिवासैश्च वणिग्भिरुपशोभिताम् ॥१-५-
It was encircled by assemblies of vassal kings performing tribute, and beautified by merchants from many lands.
प्रासादै रत्नविकृतैः पर्वतैरिव शोभिताम् । कूटागारैश्च सम्पूर्णामिन्द्रस्येवामरावतीम् ॥१-५-
It shone with palaces adorned with jewels, like mountains, and was filled with lofty mansions, resembling Amarāvatī, the city of Indra.
चित्रामष्टापदाकारां वरनारीगणायुताम् । सर्वरत्नसमाकीर्णां विमानगृहशोभिताम् ॥१-५-
It was splendid, shaped like a chessboard, filled with hosts of noble women, crowded with every kind of jewel, and adorned with celestial mansions.
गृहगाढामविच्छिद्रां समभूमौ निवेशिताम् । शालितण्डुलसम्पूर्णामिक्षुकाण्डरसोदकाम् ॥१-५-
A residence, deep-rooted and unbroken, established on level ground, filled with rice and barley, and water sweetened by sugarcane stalks.
दुन्दुभीभिर्मृदङ्गैश्च वीणाभिः पणवैस्तथा । नादितां भृशमत्यर्थं पृथिव्यां तामनुत्तमाम् ॥१-५-
That supreme abode resounded greatly upon the earth with drums, mridangas, veenas, and panavas.
विमानमिव सिद्धानां तपसाधिगतं दिवि । सुनिवेशितवेश्मान्तां नरोत्तमसमावृताम् ॥१-५-
Like the celestial palace attained by the Siddhas through austerity in heaven, its dwellings were well-arranged and filled with noble men.
ये च बाणैर्न विध्यन्ति विविक्तमपरापरम् । शब्दवेध्यं च विततं लघुहस्ता विशारदाः ॥१-५-
Those who do not miss with arrows, whether at distant or close targets, and who are skilled in striking by sound, with light hands and expertise.
सिंहव्याघ्रवराहाणां मत्तानां नदतां वने । हन्तारो निशितैः शस्त्रैर्बलाद् बाहुबलैरपि ॥१-५-
Slayers in the forest of roaring lions, tigers, and wild boars, using sharp weapons and the strength of their arms.
तादृशानां सहस्रैस्तामभिपूर्णां महारथैः । पुरीमावासयामास राजा दशरथस्तदा ॥१-५-
With thousands of such great chariot-warriors, King Dasharatha then filled that city.